Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics - 25

18-21 February 2014, Vientiane, Lao PDR

The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is organizing the twenty- fifth session of the Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS 25), in Vientiane during 18-21 February 2014 at the kind invitation of the Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Purpose of the meetingThe Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS) is a statutory body of FAO. APCAS brings together senior statistics officials from FAO member countries of the Asia and Pacific region, who are responsible for the development of agricultural statistics in their respective countries. They review the developments in their agricultural statistical systems since the last session and exchange ideas with experts from FAO and other organizations on the state of food and agricultural statistics in the region. FAO uses this occasion to inform the member countries about its activities in during the preceding biennium, particularly in Asia and the Pacific region.

Membership of the CommissionAs per the Statute of the Commission, the Membership of the Commission is open to all Member Nations of FAO and Associate Members whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Asia and Pacific Region or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territories in the Region. As of December 2013, 25 countries are members of APCAS, namely Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, People’s Rep. of China, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Islamic Rep. of Iran, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Viet Nam.

Participants Apart from delegates nominated by the member countries, FAO partner institutions are also invited as observers with a right to speak. FAO technical experts from Regional Office and Headquarters take part in the deliberations.